The muscle car era may not have “officially” begun until the release of the 1964 Pontiac GTO, but this 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS would be a worthy candidate to wear that label. Why? Because its first owner equipped it with the range-topping 409ci V8. It doesn’t end there, because the car presents superbly, and has a documented 11,265 miles showing on its odometer. It needs nothing and would be equally at home on the road, traveling the show circuit, or safely tucked away in your garage. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Impala listed here on eBay in Loveland, Colorado. The seller set their price at $84,900, and it appears they aren’t willing to negotiate.
When Chevrolet released its Third Generation Impala for the 1961 model year, it announced that a Super Sport variant would join the range. This Impala SS left the line in 1963, and I suspect that it made a huge impact when the first owner parked it in their driveway. They ordered the car in dazzling Azure Aqua, one of the classiest shades on that year’s color palette. The seller confirms that this classic has undergone a single high-end repaint in its original color. Otherwise, it can be considered a genuine survivor with no prior accident damage or rust repairs. Faulting its appearance is seemingly impossible. The paint holds an astounding depth of color and shine, while the panels are as straight as the day the Impala rolled off the showroom floor. The trim is in as-new condition, while the wheel covers add a sense of purpose. Add the crystal-clear glass to the equation, and the Impala looks like a total package. However, this SS is far more than a pretty face.
Wow! Just…wow. The first owner was certainly “playing for keeps” when they ordered this Impala. They ticked the box beside the 409ci V8, choosing the 425hp version that inhales through a Dual-Quad setup. The power feeds to a 3.55 Posi rear end via a four-speed Muncie manual transmission, with power steering lightening the driver’s load. It may not have emerged during the muscle car era, but this SS would have given the ’64 Pontiac GTO a run for its money. That is quite impressive when you consider the GTO’s engine was powering a car that was over 400 lbs lighter than this Impala. The seller states that this SS has a genuine 11,265 miles on the clock, a figure that is apparently documented as correct. They don’t mention how this car runs and drives, but if the sweet note of the 409 in this YouTube video is an accurate guide, this numbers-matching gem is a turnkey proposition.
I have scoured the seller’s images, searching for a genuine weakness with this Impala. So far, I’ve drawn a blank, because its interior is as spotless as the rest of the vehicle. Trimmed in Turquoise vinyl, complementing the exterior paint shade, it features a console, a Deluxe wheel, a factory tachometer, an AM/FM radio with the optional rear speaker, and a clock. The seller confirms that the clock is inoperative, but the remaining features work perfectly. Finding cosmetic shortcomings is virtually impossible, with the carpet particularly noteworthy for its lack of wear and stains. The vinyl trim is excellent, the dash and bright trim are spotless, and there are no aftermarket additions.
In the time that I have been writing for Barn Finds, I have often wondered whether there is such a thing as automotive perfection. I then realized that it is a relative term, meaning different things to every enthusiast. If you have a passion for 1960s Bow-Tie muscle, this 1963 Impala SS must go awfully close to ticking every box. Its presentation is stunning, the odometer reading is extraordinary, and the mechanical specifications are about as good as it got in 1963. The seller’s price looks very realistic, and I suspect that its next journey could be to a new home.
What a beautiful car,,my grandfathers ’61 Impala was this color. While the 409 was already showing some gray hair, this car was still riding high on the song, and no doubt why the original owner wanted it this way. While I still am Rambler proud, I simply can’t understand why GM didn’t get CotY with their ’63 lineup. Riv, Starfire, GP, this, I guess ol’ Roy had a favor coming, huh.
In my usual demeanor, it breaks my heart to see this. Someone will get a fabulous car, there’s no denying that, but I wonder if they will have the passion this person had for the car? They probably never even heard the song,,,and there is no official tally on how many cars that song helped sell, but GM knew it had a profound effect on sales.
All I can say is…. Wow!!! Before his ’66 396 Impala SS, my grandpa had a white ’64 with a 327 and Powerglide. ( he traded it in in the ’66) It was Very sedate compared to this. This had to have been the original owners pride and joy. Can you imagine them ordering this? Like Howard said, how many of these were sold after people heard the Beach Boys song? That kind of publicity doesn’t hurt. This is a terrific Impala, and a terrific write up too Adam, I’m glad you did this one. Its simply stunning in these photos. And Curvette, terrific find too!!!
I’m surprised that you haven’t started your own website yet Curvette. Seems like 75% of the tips are submitted by you!
It will be a miracle if this `63 isn’t sold & gone by Monday afternoon! A buyer simply won’t be able to top the condition of this without getting one that’s been fully restored without the pedigree. The downside to this car is, you can’t drive it due to it’s incredibly low mileage. This car redefines ‘trailer queen’! And rightly so!
I have fond memories of my dad bringing home a red/ red 63 Impala SS with a 327/ Powerglide around 1976. I recall he paid $300 for it due to a slipping transmission. I was just starting kindergarten if I remember correctly. He and my older brother dropped the trans in the way and took it to a trans shop for repair. I recall dad saying the shop wanted twice the cost of repair if they removed and replaced it. It’s one of my first memories of “wrenching”, even though I was probably more in the way than anything. Hopefully I I at least handed them the right tools when requested! Somewhere along the way it turned into being my brother’s first car, even though he was only 14 at the time. Ironically my brother traded it for a 52 Chevy five window pickup that had a 327 and powerglide from a wrecked Impala SS swapped into it. Unfortunately it also still the stock straight axle and drum brakes, so it stopped and handled horribly with the new found power. He didn’t ask dad for permission and I recall dad being quite upset. I’m not sure why the deal went undone, as it was when the same brother swapped the same truck for a legit real 68 Z28 (white with orange stripes) with a bad transmission. The story with it was the owner broke the ears off the original four speed trans trying to reinstall it after replacing the clutch, so he installed a junkyard trans which turned out to have bad synchronizers. There was a Mobil station adjacent to our house and the owner had a son the same age as my brother. He let him use the lift one weekend and my brother took the trans out and took both transmissions apart and put all of the good parts from the trans with broken ears into the case of the trans with bad synchros(!) quite a feat for a kid that didn’t even have his drivers license yet! (he ended up being an airframe and powerplant (AP) mechanic for American Airlines for 35 years). I recall him letting me ride in it after the fix. It ran like a 68 Z/28 should run. FAST! Dad came home from work and the slot mags with 50 series tires out back didn’t do it any favors in his eyes. When my brother fired the solid lifter 302 with side pipes up and it rattled the window, it was a hard “NO!” I don’t recall offhand what happened to the 52 pickup but I recall him having a 68 el Camino with flames shortly after. Also slot mags al around with 50’s out back and loud side pipes!